Page 78 of Madness of Her Mages

No,Drae answered.It will look like we have something to hide. We need to show Malvolia we’re on her side.

I wanted to argue, to tell him I wasn’t going to become one of my aunt’s sycophants, but either cowardice or common sense made me comply.

Drae turned me around while keeping a protective arm draped around my shoulder. Blaze and Nikkos flanked us, and we slowly approached my aunt’s throne. Malvolia lifted her head, her gaze pinning me from across the room, and I got the feeling she held me personally accountable for whatever crimes my sister had committed.

“There you are, Niece.” She clutched the sides of her throne with whitened knuckles, her voice turning shrill. “Do you know what your sister has done?”

I leaned against Drae, grateful when he squeezed my shoulder. “What has she done?”

My aunt shot to her feet, pacing in front of her throne. “She has fled to Peloponese, right into Fachnan’s court.”

Bile projected into my throat. No. I refused to believe it. “Are you sure?”

“My mages watched her fly on the back of Prince Helian’s dragon.” She jutted an accusatory finger at my chest. “She has changed faces and looks exactly like you now.”

My stomach soured. “Oh.” I still couldn’t believe my twin would flee to the evil king’s court. Even though her memories had been erased, she had to have learned what Fachnan had done to shifter kind. She had to have been left with no other choice.

“She’s fled to a court infested with demons.” Malvolia fell back into her chair with a groan. “She could be demon infected now, too.”

“I’ve never heard of a demon being able to infect a white witch,” Nikkos blurted.

I inwardly cringed when Malvolia looked him over as if he carried the plague. “How many white witches have you known?”

“J-just Shiri.” He visibly swallowed. “But I’ve read about Maiadra and other white witches before her.”

Malvolia shook her head. “You’re wasting my time with your speculation.”

I grabbed his hand, lacing my fingers through his as his face flushed bright crimson.

“She will strike them down if they try,” I said, resenting Malvolia for making me defend my sister and Nikkos.

Scowl lines framed her drawn mouth. “She killed five of my mages and injured twenty-four more. Six of them are gravely injured. Our green witches are still unsure if they can be saved.” She paused, the hatred reflecting in her eyes a tangible thing. “Eleven of my mages, Shiri.”

“I’m sorry, Aunt.” I had no idea what else she expected me to say. I wasn’t going to condemn my sister, though.

Malvolia drummed her fingers on the armrest, her glare reminding me of a dragon’s hungry, glowing eyes moments before striking its prey. “Do you still think she doesn’t intend me harm?”

Refusing to be intimidated, I turned up my chin. “Were your mages chasing her?”

Malvolia averted her gaze for a heartbeat, long enough for me to know I’d hit a nerve. “It makes no difference.”

Pulling free from my mates, I took a step toward her, crossing my arms. “It does if she was forced to defend herself.”

Shiri, don’t provoke her,Drae warned through thought.

I’m not going to be a coward, either,I snapped, tired of him constantly telling me how to behave as if I was a child.

My aunt gaped at me, clutching her chest like I’d driven a blade into her heart. “You would make excuses for that wicked witch?”

I inwardly flinched, feeling as if she’d hurled the insult at me. “She was not wicked when I knew her.”

She leered down at me from beneath black lashes thick with heavy paints. “I thought the same of Flora once, too.”

“I still say an eye for an eye,” a dark, gravelly voice rumbled.

I spun around when Monte and Furori had the nerve to approach us, their wings raised, smoke pouring from their fingertips.

Malvolia shook her head, laughing. “You are either very brave or very stupid to threaten my niece.”

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